Cong questions Speaker’s move

Former MP and Goa PCC president Shantaram Naik said Satarkar has ‘‘totally lost the vishwas (faith) of the House particularly when he made a contention that he had passed an ad-interim order under the Xth Schedule of the Constitution to debar the Independent MLA Shri Philip Neri Rodrigues from voting in the House’’.

Naik said the Speaker’s contention was a volte face and an afterthought to cover up for his order of physically removing the MLA from the House for alleged disorderly conduct.

Two BJP MLAs petitioned against Rodrigues, as late as last week, alleging he had joined BJP in 2002 and passing an ad-interim order more than three years later is unheard of in the annals of judicial or quasi-judicial procedure.

Naik said Rodrigues had rightly refused to go to the Chamber of the Speaker when earlier messages to that effect were sent to him. Only two days ago, he said, MLA Pandurang Madkaikar who went to the Speaker to tender his resignation, was threatened against resigning. Naik also questioned the contention of BJP president Rajendra Arlekar that Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane should not take any decision till he wins the trust-vote.

When the Governor had dismissed former CM Parrikar, without asking him to continue till alternate arrangements were made, the latter had passed orders in the night, the former PCC chief alleged.